Kaumana Caves Park
Kaumana Caves Park
4.5
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- Jeff AMansfield, Texas73 contributionslava tubes throughout the island. No need to only go to this park.There are lava tubes throughout the island. No need to simply go to this park. You can visit some lava tubes on the Kona highway just outside of the Kona airport. Just do a Google search for lava tubes on big Hawaii island. It will show you several places that are easily accessible from main roads. They don't require a hike. Bring a strong flashlight and a headlight. You can typically park along the road walk through them and get , a great sense of how neat lava tubes are on this islandVisited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 February 2024
- Anon8815Trenton, New Jersey771 contributionsLoved ItLava tubes = the coolest. Bring long sleeves as it will get cooler the deeper you go and will help protect you from scratches. But more importantly bring a headlamp. Ideal to go with a companion as it quickly gets pitch dark.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 28 February 2024
- OnAir778795Mission Viejo, California18 contributionsCool CavesWe enjoyed these more than the lava tube at VNP. This is just a turn off on the side of the road. There are steep steps to get to them. There is one to the left & 1 to the right. Both are dark, so bring a flash light. It's also very rugged and slippery - so I'd recommend closed toe sneakers or hiking boots. It's probably a 20 - 30 minute stop, unless you want to traverse deep into the left hand cave.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 May 2024
- poetticaLa Center, Washington82 contributionsGreat free caveTwo great caves to check out. My mom who is 77 struggled with the rocky terrain and the stairs down are really steep but you can go into the caves just a short way or push further in. Definitely bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear good shoes. Really cool caves and no charge. We visited on the same day as Rainbow Falls as they are close together.Visited September 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
428 reviews
Excellent
249
Very good
134
Average
38
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Ann C
Nashville, TN3 406 contributions
Feb 2020
Start by going down steep metal stairs. You can go to your right or to your left (or both).
I do not recommend using the light on your phone, best to have a headlamp...you should have both hands free. Wear sturdy shoes. If you arrive prepared this is a nice little peek inside of a lava cave.
No fee to enter.
Clean restroom at entrance.
Picnic area available.
I do not recommend using the light on your phone, best to have a headlamp...you should have both hands free. Wear sturdy shoes. If you arrive prepared this is a nice little peek inside of a lava cave.
No fee to enter.
Clean restroom at entrance.
Picnic area available.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian D
Denver, CO2 388 contributions
Apr 2023
A very cool cave for you to explore. There is no admission fee, it is completely free to visit and explore at your own pace or comfort level. Across the street from the cave is a small parking lot for free parking. Once you get across the street (carefully) there is a steep staircase that goes down into the entrance of the cave, where you can choose to go left or right. I believe the entire path inside the cave goes around to each side. It is pitch dark once you get a little bit along in the cave. You'll need a flashlight, and your cell phone flashlight doesn't really work to guide you through the cave. you'll need a real, handheld flashlight. There were people leaving the cave and they were nice enough to pass along their flashlight to those of us arriving empty handed. This is a great idea, as who wants to pack a flashlight for the flight home from Hawaii? No one really, and a good flashlight for the cave wouldn't cost more than $10. Next time I go to the cave, I'm returning the favor by bringing a flashlight with me and passing on to the next explorers. Once you have secured a flashlight, you can head into the cave as fast as you feel comfortable. It is a real cave. so, there are a lot of rocks, dripping water and more of what you would expect to find in a cave. You may not want to navigate too far if you aren't comfortable walking on the slippery rocks. If you have a fear of tight spaces or dark tight spaces, just take a quick look and head back up the stairs to bright open spaces and relax. Photos are tough to get inside a cave, unless you are a professional photographer. If you are going for the photos, good luck! If you like exploring caves, you'll enjoy this scenic sanctuary!
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jongable
Oakland Charter Township, MI764 contributions
Jan 2020
This park is $0 and it provides a great way to see a lava tube. I have done few-based lava tube tours before and definitely enjoyed this more. You cannot go deep into either tube, but really there is no need to. Just enjoy the scenery for 20 minutes and then head to some other Holo sites.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lynette_cypress
Boise, ID485 contributions
Mar 2022
The caves are amazing! You can see where there were different temperatures and flows through the lava tubes, neat formations, big chunks of lava you have to crawl over where it collapsed from the ceiling.
Some strong recommendations:
have a headlamp so you can keep your hands free for balance and crawling;
have good shoes/hiking boots with tread and support;
look all around as you make your way.
Some sections have low clearance (my husband broke his sunglasses - perched on top of his head - when we ran into a low rock. Probably kept him from a gash though!).
Water is dripping and roots are coming through, hanging down from the ceiling above you. It's thrilling to turn off the lights and sit in silence/darkness...for a second or two. ; )
Some strong recommendations:
have a headlamp so you can keep your hands free for balance and crawling;
have good shoes/hiking boots with tread and support;
look all around as you make your way.
Some sections have low clearance (my husband broke his sunglasses - perched on top of his head - when we ran into a low rock. Probably kept him from a gash though!).
Water is dripping and roots are coming through, hanging down from the ceiling above you. It's thrilling to turn off the lights and sit in silence/darkness...for a second or two. ; )
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant-808
Honolulu, HI477 contributions
Jun 2021
A quick 7 minute drive from Rainbow Falls, you could do both in a couple hours. Bring a light (headlamp is best to have 2 free hands, but phone light or flashlight will do) and rainjacket (slow drips throughout the tunnel). Doable for children and anyone who has stable footing. Usually not crowded since it is not as well known or developed as Thurston.
There is a small unmarked area for parking along the roadside, across the street from the caves. A quick one minute ascent down the stairs leads to a choice between left and right. I hear the right is larger and more spectacular, thus went that way. You can go as far as you like, it eventually surfaces in 15-20 minutes, but most turn around after the huge cavernous area 10 minutes into the hike. It is slippery and jagged at portions, with some areas require you to crawl, but overall quite easy. Bumping your head is a given.
Walking through the lava tube with primal natural beauty is a highly recommended experience, particularly once you reach the auditorium-like cave.
There is a small unmarked area for parking along the roadside, across the street from the caves. A quick one minute ascent down the stairs leads to a choice between left and right. I hear the right is larger and more spectacular, thus went that way. You can go as far as you like, it eventually surfaces in 15-20 minutes, but most turn around after the huge cavernous area 10 minutes into the hike. It is slippery and jagged at portions, with some areas require you to crawl, but overall quite easy. Bumping your head is a given.
Walking through the lava tube with primal natural beauty is a highly recommended experience, particularly once you reach the auditorium-like cave.
Written 10 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marc_Majka
San Carlos, CA360 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
This is not your National Park lava tube. If you have only ever visited Nāhuku / Thurston lava tube in Volcano National Park, then you owe yourself a visit to Kaumana. Be prepared for lots of jumbled rock, and walk very carefully, because falling in here would be very painful. On the other hand, you’ll be seeing a much more authentic lava tube, that hasn’t been cleaned up for thousands of tourists to wander through. Steep stairs descend to the collapsed center of two short tube segments. Both are reasonably easy to navigate (carefully). Good shoes are a very good idea. Bring a decent flashlight - your phone’s flashlight really won’t cut it.
Written 12 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gene W
8 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We bought some $10 flashlights from Walmart in Hilo and they made all the difference. My kids (5 and 7 years old) loved hiking through both sides of the caves. On both sides, if you get past the first little squeeze, the caves open up and the walking gets easier. I'm 6 foot 4 and only had to duck in a few spots.
Written 9 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ziggy N
Nanaimo, Canada127 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
Free of charge, but you need to come prepared. Unlike some cave adventures. There is no lighting installed. You need a decent flashlight to ensure good footing. Which reminds me you need good hiking style boots that can get dirty and keep your feet dry. Which reminds me. You need to either wear something waterproof on your head or not get pissed if when drops of water bomb you from the I side of the cave
When you come down the overly steep set of stairs that is the last time you will have a hand rail. To the left cave goes about 20 minutes in and 20 minutes out. We did not have time to go through each side. We went through right after heavy rain period and so cave had lots of moisture and droplets from the ceiling.
To see around properly a flashlight would be great. Can it be done without one. Yes. But your in about 60 percent light
Not a place for under 5 years old. I wouldn’t take under 7 myself.
Uneven wet surface, very uneven. You are going to get your hands dirty sometimes needing them for assistance to stay upright.
Is it worth it. Yes. Washrooms at the facility. Parking across the highway. About 8 minutes out of Hilo heading back to Kona.
When you come down the overly steep set of stairs that is the last time you will have a hand rail. To the left cave goes about 20 minutes in and 20 minutes out. We did not have time to go through each side. We went through right after heavy rain period and so cave had lots of moisture and droplets from the ceiling.
To see around properly a flashlight would be great. Can it be done without one. Yes. But your in about 60 percent light
Not a place for under 5 years old. I wouldn’t take under 7 myself.
Uneven wet surface, very uneven. You are going to get your hands dirty sometimes needing them for assistance to stay upright.
Is it worth it. Yes. Washrooms at the facility. Parking across the highway. About 8 minutes out of Hilo heading back to Kona.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rx-art
Los Angeles, CA112 contributions
Jul 2021
you NEED flashlights (each person needs their own if you use your phone light), a walking stick/umbrulla and good shoes. The caves are damp, rocky and footing is not secure at all times. It's also pitch black. a Cool little experience but I don't know if I would recommend for older adults if you don't have good balance and vision.
caves end in a dead end, so you have to turn back around the way you came.
caves end in a dead end, so you have to turn back around the way you came.
Written 29 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Schizms
Santa Clara, CA77 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Cool caves! Come prepared with torches, hiking boots and full pants because this is a rocky and uneven cave. It’s not too narrow which is nice and it gets dark fast. The cave inside has neat features and the entrance is beautiful with cascading plants. It’s a fun stop for exploration and some mystery. We didn’t go that far in because we had a long lava tube tour the next day.
Written 11 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
we will be coming in on a cruise ship. Is there a bus that runs from the port area
Written 3 November 2017
I do not think there are any busses that run there specifically. You might be able to find a city bus that passes close by or like others have said uber/lyft.
Written 3 December 2017
How long would you say we should allow for exploring? Wondering if we can fit in another activity.
Written 29 June 2017
Hey, I agree with everyone, depending on your interest, 15min. to 2 hrs. It can be damp, chilly and absolutely dark. Check your batteries and bring a flashlight.
Written 29 June 2017
Hi just wondering if the Sulfur smell in strong there as my friend has asthma. Thanks
Written 31 January 2016
No Sulfur smell. Very humid.
My husband has asthma and he did great in the tubes. He did admit that the further back he went, he really could feel the "thick" air, but he had no adverse effects.
Written 1 February 2016
Is there an entrance or parking fee?
Written 25 January 2015
Good news. Plenty of free parking and no entrance fee. Bathrooms, picnic tables, and very safe environment, especially for the kids. If you are traveling from Kona on Saddle Road, it is right off that road, just outside Hilo.
Written 26 January 2015
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